In a significant development, Lord Emly, one of the witnesses appearing before the Committee of Inquiry into the functioning of the Department of Agriculture and Technical Education, delivered a powerful protest during the proceedings held in Limerick.

Lord Emly’s protest was directed squarely at the retention of Sir Horace Plunkett by the government in any official capacity in Ireland. With conviction, Lord Emly expressed his desire to enter a protest in the strongest possible terms against this decision.

He emphasized that his objection was not limited to even the most junior government officials. Instead, it encompassed the highest echelons of authority, and in particular, he singled out Sir Horace Plunkett (Image), whose influence he deemed deeply problematic.

Lord Emly went further to assert that Sir Horace Plunkett, in his view, had acted as a torchbearer for religious discord in Ireland. His concern stemmed from the belief that Sir Horace had essentially operated as a government within a government, wielding considerable power and influence.

One of the key points of contention raised by Lord Emly was Sir Horace Plunkett’s recent publication of a book. According to Lord Emly, this book had a profoundly negative impact, causing hurt and distress to Catholics in Ireland and around the world. While specific details about the content and context of the book were not provided, it was evidently a source of significant controversy and concern for Lord Emly and others who shared his views.

Lord Emly’s passionate and vocal protest underscores the deep divisions and sensitivities surrounding the role and actions of public figures in Ireland during this period. The Committee of Inquiry’s proceedings in Limerick appear to have provided a platform for airing grievances and concerns related to the Department of Agriculture and Technical Education, as well as broader issues of governance and influence within the country. The outcome of this inquiry and the government’s response to such protests will be closely watched by both the public and policymakers alike.

Aberdeen Press and Journal – Tuesday 03 July 1906